All Chapters of Under the Sign of Danger: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The meeting room was dimly lit by a single lamp, casting a soft, diffused glow over the stern faces seated around the massive oak table. The heavy wood paneling on the walls seemed to close in, amplifying the sense of power and dread that hung in the air.At the head of the table sat Ryan, his expression cold and ruthless, eyes sharp and calculating. The silence was thick and heavy, broken only when he finally spoke, voice low and commanding.“We are at the edge of collapse,” he said quietly, his words slicing through the tension like a knife. “Someone close has betrayed us.”An older advisor rose, holding a thick dossier overflowing with papers. He placed it carefully on the table.“Sir, here are the full details of the intrusion. Someone infiltrated your office and stole sensitive files — the same ones connected to our most covert transactions.”Ryan’s gaze darkened as he studied the documents. “These aren’t just files,” he said slowly. “They’re our victories and failures… secrets t

Night had fallen over the city, wrapping the streets in long, restless shadows. The air was thick with the scent of rain and hot asphalt, while distant sounds — honking horns, hurried footsteps, fading sirens — created a strange symphony that heightened the tension in their hearts.In their workshop, the lights were almost completely off, save for a few faint red glows from electronic devices—like fireflies flickering in the dark. Luca and Elena were tense, every move meticulously calculated. They adjusted the last details of their gear — tiny hidden micro-cameras in buttons, smart jamming devices, compact but lethal weapons.“There’s no room for mistakes,” Luca said in a low voice, sharp as a blade. “If we get caught, it’s the end for us. Not just us, but everything we’ve built.”Elena looked into his eyes, a fierce flame of determination burning inside them.“I know,” she replied, calm but firm. “But we have to do this. For us, for my sister, for the future we want.”They slipped ou

The coffee steamed gently in their cups, but neither Elena nor Luca dared to take a sip. The maps, photographs, and handwritten notes were spread out again across the table, illuminated only by the soft glow of the tablet screen. The room was heavy with unspoken words, tension thick enough to cut through the silence. Every glance exchanged between them carried the weight of a silent promise — they were in this together, no matter the cost.Luca drew a slow, steady breath and tapped the tablet screen, bringing up the intercepted data once more.“According to the signal we picked up last night, the shipment has been moved forward,” he said, voice low but edged with urgency. “It’s happening tonight.”Elena’s eyes narrowed as she studied the digital map. “That leaves us less time than we planned to prepare.”Luca nodded, his jaw tightening. “I know. But this is the chance we’ve been waiting for. We have to get to container 4C and install the device before Ryan’s men arrive. It’s the only

Ryan nervously pressed the remote control button again, switching between the images flickering on the monitors in front of him. Each camera in the port seemed to tell the same story: something was wrong. And his instinct, honed by years of power, blood, and ruthless control, never failed him.“Check container 4C again. Personally. Now.” His voice was cold, low, but carried an undeniable authority that brooked no argument.One of his men paled slightly but dared not argue. He hurried out of the room with quick, measured steps, leaving Ryan alone with his dark thoughts and the cold glow of the screens.Ryan sank back into the leather chair, his eyes dark and unblinking as he stared at the monitors.“Luca…” he whispered, the name hanging heavy in the air. “I knew you hadn’t fully retreated. But to come back like this?”He picked up an old photograph from the desk—a photo of Elena. Her face caught in a moment of unguarded thought, hair loosely tied back, eyes dreamy but determined. The s

The muffled roar of engines echoed faintly through the narrow side streets of the city. Inside a discreet SUV with tinted windows, Luca gripped the steering wheel tightly, his eyes scanning every intersection, every shadow, every subtle movement that didn’t belong. Beside him, Elena checked her small pistol once again, hidden beneath her jacket.“Did you feel that?” she asked without looking at him.“Yes. They’re following us.”It wasn’t a question but a statement. The black car trailing them kept a cautious distance but no longer tried to hide. Luca made two sharp turns, then quick detours, but the car stayed relentlessly behind.“We have two options,” he said. “Lose them now… or stop and find out who they are.”“And if they shoot?”“Then we shoot back.”In perfect sync, Luca slammed the SUV to a halt in a deserted industrial alley. Elena slid out quickly and pressed herself against the side door, weapon raised. The car behind them slowed to a stop as well. Its headlights faded into